Overdiagnosis during lung cancer screening: is it an overemphasised, underappreciated, or tangential issue?

The issue of overdiagnosis is frequently raised in the context of lung cancer screening. Two recent papers draw attention to this matter: one by Patz et al, which estimates the incidence of overdiagnosis in the experience of the National Lung Screening Trial, and the US Preventative Services Task Force report that recommends screening in an organised programme for individuals at an elevated risk of developing lung cancer.